• Capabilities
  • Expertise
  • Insights
  • About
  • Contact Us
  • enen
  • Back
  • Search
  • Succession
  • Performance
  • Accelerators
  • Transformation
  • Board
  • Back
  • Industries
  • Functions
  • Organizations
  • Back
  • Leadership Topics and Trends
  • Leadership Labs
  • Flagship Research
  • Data and Indices
  • RRA Books
  • Events and Webcasts
  • Insights Library
  • Back
  • People
  • Who We Are
  • Careers
  • Newsroom
  • Back
  • Get In Touch
  • Advance Your Career
  • Join the Conversation
  • Find a Local Office
  • Language
  • Login

Global Chief Operating Officer Turnover Index

We share the latest Chief Operating Officer (COO) turnover data for listed companies globally. Updated each quarter, you’ll find the proportion of COO departures and appointments, as well as trend analysis by gender and tenure across internal and external hires.
COO Turnover Index - Russell Reynolds Associates

Teodor H1 Heading

Teodor H2 Heading

Spezia H3 Heading

Spezia Paragraph

Heading

Incoming
Outgoing
Index view
Industry view
Incoming COOs
Incoming COOs: Gender
Incoming COOs: Appointment
Incoming COOs: Experience

Select Index

Global (All Companies)   S&P 500   FTSE 100   ASX 200   CAC 40   EuroNext 100   FTSE 250   HANG SENG   Nikkei 225   S&P/TSX Composite   STI  
Download data

Select Index

Global (All Companies) S&P 500 FTSE 100 ASX 200 CAC 40 EuroNext 100 FTSE 250 HANG SENG Nikkei 225 S&P/TSX Composite STI
Download data

Select Index

Global (All Companies) S&P 500 FTSE 100 ASX 200 CAC 40 EuroNext 100 FTSE 250 HANG SENG Nikkei 225 S&P/TSX Composite STI
Download data

Select Index

Global (All Companies) S&P 500 FTSE 100 ASX 200 CAC 40 EuroNext 100 FTSE 250 HANG SENG Nikkei 225 S&P/TSX Composite STI
Download data
Incoming COOs
Incoming COOs: Gender
Incoming COOs: Appointment
Incoming COOs: Experience

Select Industry

Global (All Companies)  Consumer   Financial Services   Healthcare  Industrial  Technology 
Download data

Select Industry

Global Consumer Financial Services Healthcare Industrial Technology
Download data

Select Industry

Global Consumer Financial Services Healthcare Industrial Technology
Download data

Select Industry

Global Consumer Financial Services Healthcare Industrial Technology
Download data
Index view
Industry view
Outgoing COOs
Outgoing COOs: Gender
Outgoing COOs: Appointment
Outgoing COOs: Experience
Outgoing COOs: Tenure
Outgoing COOs: Retired/Board or New Role

Select Index

Global (All Companies)   S&P 500   FTSE 100   ASX 200   CAC 40   EuroNext 100   FTSE 250   HANG SENG   Nikkei 225   S&P/TSX Composite   STI  
Download data

Select Index

Global (All Companies) S&P 500 FTSE 100 ASX 200 CAC 40 EuroNext 100 FTSE 250 HANG SENG Nikkei 225 S&P/TSX Composite STI
Download data

Select Index

Global (All Companies) S&P 500 FTSE 100 ASX 200 CAC 40 EuroNext 100 FTSE 250 HANG SENG Nikkei 225 S&P/TSX Composite STI
Download data

Select Index

Global (All Companies) S&P 500 FTSE 100 ASX 200 CAC 40 EuroNext 100 FTSE 250 HANG SENG Nikkei 225 S&P/TSX Composite STI
Download data

Select Index

Global (All Companies)  S&P 500   FTSE 100   ASX 200   CAC 40   EuroNext 100   FTSE 250   HANG SENG   Nikkei 225   S&P/TSX Composite   STI  
Download data

Select Index

Global (All Companies) S&P 500 FTSE 100 ASX 200 CAC 40 EuroNext 100 FTSE 250 HANG SENG Nikkei 225 S&P/TSX Composite STI
Download data
Outgoing COOs
Outgoing COOs: Gender
Outgoing COOs: Appointment
Outgoing COOs: Experience
Outgoing COOs: Tenure
Outgoing COOs: Retired/Board or New Role

Select Industry

Global (All Companies)  Consumer   Financial Services   Healthcare  Industrial  Technology 
Download data

Select Industry

Global Consumer Financial Services Healthcare Industrial Technology
Download data

Select Industry

Global Consumer Financial Services Healthcare Industrial Technology
Download data

Select Industry

Global Consumer Financial Services Healthcare Industrial Technology
Download data

Select Industry

Global (All Companies)  Consumer   Financial Services   Healthcare   Industrial   Technology  
Download data

Select Industry

Global (All Companies) Consumer Financial Services Healthcare Industrial Technology
Download data

What this means for COO succession

The Q1 2026 data points to a COO succession environment shaped by three priorities: defining the role clearly when organizations appoint or formalize a COO for the first time, developing internal successors earlier, and supporting incumbents as their mandates expand.

 

As more organizations add or formalize the COO role, succession planning should start with a clear definition of what the COO is being asked to solve. In some organizations, the role may be designed to lead AI-enabled transformation or operating model change. In others, it may be a CEO succession platform, a retention tool for a high-potential enterprise leader, or a way to bring greater integration across complex businesses. Each scenario requires a different leadership profile.

 

The continued preference for internal, first-time COOs means organizations also need to look earlier and more broadly inside the business. The strongest successor may not already carry an operations title—they may be a P&L leader, CFO, supply chain executive, or transformation leader with the credibility and enterprise range to step up. CEOs should identify these leaders before a COO transition is imminent and give them the exposure, cross-functional scope, and board visibility needed to succeed.

 

Longer COO tenure adds another dimension. With COOs staying in role to deliver multi-year transformation, organizations need to support incumbents as their mandates expand. That means regularly reassessing whether the COO has the capabilities, authority, and support required for the next phase of enterprise-wide change.

What is COO turnover?

COO turnover refers to the rate at which COOs are appointed to and depart from their roles. It can serve as an indicator of broader business trends, including operational complexity, transformation pressures, and businesses’ risk appetites.

How has COO turnover changed for public companies?

COO turnover has fluctuated since 2019 across the 10 indices tracked in the Global COO Turnover Index. In 2025, COO appointments reached a seven-year high, with 146 incoming COOs globally, up from 130 in 2024. At the same time, departures fell to 65, producing a net expansion of 81 COO roles globally. Companies are increasingly formalizing or expanding the COO role as business transformation accelerates.

How many COOs were appointed globally in 2025 at public companies?

There were 146 COO appointments globally in 2025 across the 10 indices tracked in the Global COO Turnover Index. This included:

  • 60 COO appointments in the S&P 500
  • 19 COO appointments in the ASX 200
  • 13 COO appointments in the FTSE 100

Why are COO appointments rising for public firms globally?

Elevated COO hiring reflects the evolving nature of the role. As AI adoption, digital acceleration, supply chain complexity, and enterprise transformation reshape operating models, companies are placing greater emphasis on end-to-end operational leadership.

Increasingly, the COO is viewed as the executive responsible for translating transformation strategy into measurable operational results. As a result, companies are adding or strengthening the role within the C-suite.

How many COOs of public companies stepped down in 2025?

There were 65 COO departures globally in 2025 across the 10 indices tracked in the Global COO Turnover Index. This included:

  • 29 COO departures in the S&P 500
  • 9 COO departures in the ASX 200
  • 6 COO departures in the FTSE 100

What is the proportion of women COO appointments at public firms in 2025?

In 2025, 25 women were appointed as COOs, representing 17% of global COO appointments, compared to 121 men.

In 2025, what proportion of new COOs of public companies were first-time COOs?

In 2025, 88% of COO appointments globally were first-time COOs, meaning they had not previously held a COO role at a publicly listed company.

What’s the average tenure of COOs at publicly listed companies?

In 2025, the average tenure of departing COOs was 4.1 years, the highest level since tracking began in 2019.

Latest COO turnover insights

 

image-team-meeting-organizational-683773588.jpg

Transformation That Sticks: Why COOs Are Best Positioned to Lead Today’s Enterprise Change

COOs are uniquely placed to lead transformation. Our research highlights the plays to prioritize for alignment, AI-enabled execution, and scale.

image-woman-and-teamwork-behind-940287820.jpg

Inside the Mind of the COO

Are you grooming a COO for the CEO role? Our research uncovers personality differences that should be reflected in their coaching and development plan.

image-business-meeting-2155192216.jpg

Future-Proofing the C-suite: Addressing the COO Succession Imperative

COO turnover is high, but many organizations lack succession plans. Our research outlines key actions to prioritize.

 

 

Global COO advisory leaders

Our COO leaders ensure we bring the full power of our one-firm approach to your greatest leadership challenges. That means we bring together the right team to meet your organization’s needs.

 

 

 

Register for quarterly updates
banner-business-man-680315913.jpg

Global CEO Turnover Index

Explore data from the world’s leading stock indices on how many listed company CEOs are leaving their posts each quarter.

Find out more